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CALLING TWO ACTION HEROES: “RIVALS” IS READY! Writer Heathcoat puts the v and s in "Rivals"! Reported By: Randy Jennings Tuesday, May 21, 2002 The evening previous to my Terminator 3 set visit in Los Angeles, CA, I found myself at the a focal point of a historic site at the world famous Bob's Big Boy in Burbank, CA. What an appetizer it was, right before visiting Arnold, I had a taste of screenwriter Christopher E. Heathcoat's "RIVALS" script. Talking shop about the two action icons was like knowing a friend for years that I have not seen since high school. And that is exactly the kind of relationship that this writer has conveyed into his script for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone (only with an elbow-kick and a punch for the actors). What I didn't expect was a copy of the script for me to take a sneak peak into this action comedy. Mr. Heathcoat has came to TAFs with his site up and running for those who might be interested and we have it here for you. I personally enjoyed my meeting with "Chris" and feel that this man has not only a feel for Arnie and Sly's persona but a real love and obscure knowledge for all kinds of films. Undoubtedly, he has a feel for these actors careers to past and present and integrates their best works in this original and surprisingly "fresh" premise here. I can only quote from the most memorable part of our conversation when he stated: "after all of the buddy films in the past: cop and con, ex-vet this, on the edge that, I wanted characters that are more like themselves in real life but thrown into action oriented scenes very dramatically and un-expectedly. It would appeal to everyone that has seen almost every "buddy film" yet not be familiar." Though he stated with humility that: "he urges anyone and everyone that has an idea for these two icons to go with it, it's in demand and weather it be an action packed: sci-fi, cop and robber or western - that I would like to see them do SOMETHING, even if it wasn't my own." Though he countered with a smile & statement that i expected: "but of course I wrote this believing that it WILL be". Once looking at the cover of Heathcoat's script, I noticed that the letter "V" and the "S" in his title: "Rivals" were slightly bigger than the remaining letters in the title. I instantly asked and it was verified by him that it emphasizes the "versus" abbreviation for his project. Though we have seen characters not getting along throughout a movie before, I assure you that none have been portrayed like this - and if Arnold and Sly DO fight each other in this project how in "Crom's name" did the writer satisfy both sides of fans at the end of what could be the biggest battle since King Kong v.s. Godzilla? Ali v.s. Frazier? Guess you'll have to see the movie to find out. Check out the screenwriter’s script synopsis here at Screenrider.net! ---------- |